Migrants detained after arriving in Hastings

Migrants were detained after arriving in Hastings on Monday (September 14).
Picture: Clare StuartPicture: Clare Stuart
Picture: Clare Stuart

Police and Border Force responded to the incident near Fairlight Cove at approximately 3.30pm.

Police confirmed officers were called to assist Border Force, who were leading the investigation.

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A spokesman for the Home Office said Border Force dealt with 12 incidents on Monday, involving a total of 165 people.

The Home Office did not confirm how many migrants arrived in Hastings.

The French authorities also prevented seven crossings on Monday, involving a total of 54 people, according to the Home Office.

The spokesman added: "Our efforts to facilitate entirely legitimate and legal returns are often frustrated by last minute challenges submitted hours before a scheduled flight. These claims are very often entirely without merit, but must be given proper consideration, leading to removal being rescheduled. This can effectively result in the timing out of a return due to stringent Dublin Regulations.

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Dan O’Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said: “These crossings are facilitated by callous criminals who risk people’s lives for money. We are working with our French counterparts to make this route completely unviable and continue to crack down on the criminal gangs responsible - making 50 arrests so far this year.

“These migrants are leaving France which is a safe country, where those seeking refuge can and should claim asylum, rather than attempting these perilous crossings to the UK. We continue to return those who do not have a legitimate asylum claim despite barriers to removals under the Dublin Regulations and legal challenges, and more flights are planned in the upcoming weeks.”